So, the elections are finally over. The acrimony is making way for accommodation, the vituperation for bonhomie. In that spirit, ace networker Rajeev Shukla arranged for a peace dinner between his outgoing boss, Sonia Gandhi, and his incoming boss, Narendra Modi (you can bet your last rupee that Shukla will be right where it matters during the photo-ops of the new government’s swearing in.)
“I’m sorry, Narendra bhai, for that callous ‘maut ka saudagar’ remark,” Sonia ventured. “Had I known what maut meant then, I would never have used it,” she said in faltering English.
“Mention not, Soniaben. But do call me a saudagar. For a Gujarati, that’s the ultimate compliment,” Namo said, voice still broken from 24 months of incessant campaigning, first within the party, then across the nation.
As Rajeev Shukla looked on, wonder-struck, the two leaders chatted amiably. Sonia passed on trade-secrets about handling the CBI and other aspects of statecraft and in turn requested Namo to continue to chide Rahul with his ‘Shahzada’ barbs, whenever he neglects his duties.
“The boy is still not focused, Narendra bhai,” Sonia said. “Why, just the other day, he failed to turn up for Manmohanji’s farewell dinner. I used to look forward to your Shahzada barbs, which had a very salutary effect in that they kept him on his toes.”
“I’ll try, Sonia ji, but I’ll get busy with governance and have very little time for Shahzada rhetoric,” Namo said.
“Oh no, Narendra bhai. Just a stern ‘what is this, Shahzade’ rebuke will do. Please, please, please?” Sonia pleaded.
“Ok, I’ll take time out to chide the boy once in a while,” Narendra promised.
“Oh, and go easy on him in Parliament, will you? He’s not used to attending regularly.”
“Don’t worry, Soniaji. Anyway Sushmaji is there on hand to act as the proxy leader of the opposition. So he should feel free to take off whenever he wants to recharge,” Namo assured.
With that, one of the seminal meetings in India’s political history came to an end.